Abstract

In the previous issue of Arthritis Research & Therapy data are presented showing that circulating immune complexes containing citrullinated
fibrin(ogen) are present in anti-citrullinated protein antibody-positive rheumatoid
arthritis patients, and that such immune complexes co-localize with complement factor
C3 in the rheumatoid synovium. These results corroborate the idea that citrullination
is intimately involved in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis and complete
our model (the rheumatoid arthritis cycle) for the development and chronic nature
of this disease.